Dutch airline KLM has issued a sincere apology to Paralympic athlete Hannah Babalola after she was denied access to an onboard wheelchair during a long-haul flight, preventing her from using the toilet. The incident occurred on 26 May as Babalola, a 37-year-old paraplegic track athlete representing Nigeria, was returning home to Chicago from a wheelchair-racing event in Cape Town, South Africa.
Incident Details
Babalola had booked the KLM return flight from Chicago to Cape Town via Amsterdam as a wheelchair-using passenger. The outbound journey went smoothly, but during the return leg, problems arose when she informed cabin crew that she would need an aisle chair for the nearly 11-hour flight to Amsterdam. Aisle chairs are narrow wheelchairs designed for use inside aircraft.
According to a recording of the conversation obtained by The Guardian, a crew member told Babalola that using the aisle chair during the flight was too dangerous due to potential turbulence. The crew member presented her with two options: use the toilet without the wheelchair or leave the plane. Babalola refused to disembark, stating she needed to get home to her family and work.
Crew Response
The cabin crew handed Babalola a written notice titled "Unacceptable conduct and final warning on behalf of the captain of this plane." Security was called but declined to take action. When the flight landed in Amsterdam, police were asked to be on standby, but they also declined to intervene. Babalola transferred to a different connecting flight to complete her journey to Chicago.
Babalola said she felt compelled to avoid eating or drinking for the duration of the flight out of fear of needing to use the restroom. She described the experience as humiliating, distressing, and degrading, causing significant physical discomfort and emotional distress. She believes the treatment raises serious concerns about discrimination and equal treatment.
Formal Complaint
Babalola filed a formal complaint with KLM. A customer service representative responded, stating that a full review of the circumstances would be conducted and offered sincere apologies for the distress caused. The representative acknowledged that the situation must have felt deeply upsetting and unsettling.
Broader Context
The incident echoes a 2017 case involving British Paralympian Anne Wafula Strike, who was forced to wet herself on a train due to a lack of functioning accessible toilets. That case sparked a national debate about equal access to transport for people with disabilities. Wafula Strike commented that nearly a decade later, disabled people are still fighting the same battles.
A KLM spokesperson declined to discuss details of the incident, citing respect for the privacy of the passenger and crew, but expressed regret over the occurrence.
